Haleakala Zipline
Highlights
- First Zipline Course in the USA!
- High altitude cloud forest location
- Great activity on the way to-from the summit of Haleakala
- Weight limit 260 pounds. Minimum age is 8.
Description
Not only is Haleakala Zipline is Maui's first zipline tour, it was also the first zipline tour to open in the USA! This course is located a few miles from the entrance of Haleakala National Park in a cloud forest. Haleakala Zipline is almost halfway to the peak of a a 10,000 foot volcano, and upcountry Maui is know for its impressive panoramic ocean views of Lanai, Molokai, Molokini, Kahoolawe, and the West Maui Mountains.
Haleakala Zipline includes 5 breathtaking zipline crossing, and an Indiana Jones styled swinging bridge through a towering Eucalyptus forest. You can combine a trip to the nearby national park, because the zipline check in on "Crater Road" is on the way to the summit of the mountain.
The guides will teach you about the rich Hawaiian environment and Maui's ranching history as they lead you through the trees. If you're not interested in zipping, Haleakala Zipline is one of the few tours allow you to do this. Observers can walk along and take pictures of the action. This tour is about an hour and 45 minute drive from West Maui, an hour drive from the South Maui resorts in Kihei and Wailea, and it is 15 minutes from the paniolo (cowboy) town of Makawao.
Cost
Haleakala Zipline - Skyline Rate (SKYH1)
$139.95 per Participant (plus 4.712% Hawaii sales tax)
Location
GPS Address: 18303 Haleakala Hwy., Kula, HI 967908 Click to view map
Details
Schedule: Monday through Saturday at 8:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:15pm and 2pm
Check In: 30 minutes prior to tour time at Hakeakala Ranch Outpost. Take Highway 37 to Highway 377 and turn left on Highway 378 (Crater Road). 2.5 miles up, look for 3 red and white ranch style buildings on the left.
Duration: Up to 2 hours
Restrictions: Minimum age for this tour is 8; anyone under 18 must have a legal guardian present at check in. Ages 8 to 14 must have an adult in their party participating in the tour with them. All participants must sign a waiver of liability prior to taking this tour. Ages 8 to 14 must have an adult in their party also participating in the tour. Minimum weight is 60 pounds and maximum weight is 260 pounds. No one who is pregnant may participate and anyone with a history of neck, back, or joint injuries or chronic heart problems should use their own discretion about their capabilities to safely participate in this tour. Guests who are zip lining must be in good enough health to hike for two miles. No smoking on this tour. No scuba diving within 24 hours of the start of this tour.
What to Wear: Hiking boots or athletic shoes are required (no Tevas, Keens, Crocs, etc). Longer shorts and a short-sleeved shirt are recommended. White clothing is NOT recommended.
Reservations: Advanced reservations required and we recommend booking this a month or more before your arrival. This event is "RESERVE NOW PAY LATER"; we need a credit card on file to finalize your reservation but we do not charge you for this reservation until a few days before the beginning of your vacation!
Minimum Notice for Cancellations / Changes: At least 48 hours before the start of the event. All tours go out rain or shine.
Kevin's Activity Tips:
This tour is operated by the folks who started the zipline craze here in Hawaii with Maui's first course on the slopes of Haleakala. With it's unique location, many guests combine this activity with a visit to Haleakala National Park. Some people drive to the summit to watch a sunrise, and then do this tour on the way down at the 10:30am or 11:30am timeslots. Others will do this tour in the early afternoon, and then drive to the summit to watch a sunset. If you want to combine this activity with a tour that takes you up to the top of the volcano to watch the sunrise, a Haleakala Sunrise and Zipline combo is available!
The weather at this location is completely different than other places on the island. Because of its altitude, it is 10-15 degrees cooler than at sea level. Given its location on the west side of Haleakala, it is sheltered from the tradewinds and gets very little rainfall compared to windward sides of the island. If you are staying in a bed and breakfast somewhere in the rainforest and it is raining cats and dogs, don't make the mistake of assuming your tour is canceled. This course RARELY has to cancel for weather … it is near a town called "Pukalani" which is Hawaiian for "hole in the sky." This location is typically crystal clear in the mornings, with a layer of clouds that form in the late morning and early afternoon. Afternoon tours sometimes are conducted in very mysterious foggy conditions in this "cloud forest", which just adds to the allure of this tour.
There are two different "technologies" used in zipline tours today. The classic zipline tour uses a climbing harness, carabiners, and a single attachment point to a small trolley which rides on the line. The newer and more heavy duty system that has popped up on many courses installed in the last few years uses a paragliding harness that feels like a built-in seat, with two attachment points (one on either side of you) to a much larger trolly. This type of equipment allows for longer lines and higher speeds (think lines that are a half mile long or more), but it feels more like a "ride" than a classic zipline. The Haleakala Zipline tour uses the classic climbing harness. Both types of ziplines are fun, but this classic type will make you feel more like an action hero in a "Die Hard" or "James Bond" sequel!
Please note the weight limits … guests must weigh between 60 pounds and 260 pounds. If you weigh 280 and say on the reservation form that you weigh 255, you will regret that decision. All participants are weighed upon check in, and if you fall outside of the range you will not get to do the tour and you won't get a refund. The reason for the weight restrictions? Participants who weigh less than 60 pounds will consistently run out of speed near the end of a zipline and when they fail to reach the other side they will stop and then roll back to the middle of the line. This isn't dangerous at all (as a matter of fact it can be fun to get stuck in the middle), but it takes significant time for a guide to rig up and extract the stuck individual. One or two guests who consistently come up short would throw their tour schedule into disarray. Participants who weigh over 260 pounds would cause a different problem. This one IS safety related. It isn't that the equipment can't handle the weight … it could handle the weight of a pregnant elephant. But heavy passengers can come in too fast exceeding the capacity of the braking system to safely slow them down. If someone in your party is right on the line at the weight limit, be honest about their weight when making a reservation and take appropriate measures (usually dieting). Then at least 48 hours before the tour stop by their location and get weighed. Anyone can be dropped from the reservation and get their money refunded if it is done at least 48 hours before the start of the tour. This gives them a chance to sell the space to someone else.
This course has 5 lines, and they have one tour option … it is one of the most affordable zipline tours in Hawaii, and it's a great option for people who have never gone ziplining before. The first few lines are shorter and not real high off the ground, and this builds confidence for the longer and higher lines at the end of the tour.
There is a very modest amount of hiking on this tour, and the tour operator says you've got to be able to walk for a half a mile. You don't have to be a buffed athelete to do this tour, but you should be in reasonable physical condition and in overall good health. Oh, no upper arm and body strength is required. The harness and lanyard carry all your weight and you are securely clipped in. You wouldn't fall if you let go.